2012 Lowes 16 ft semi V conversion for bass fishing

[musicman]

Boat Features List

Started with:

Lowe 1648 Riveted aluminum John boat, semi-V design, with live well in front bench.
Mercury 9.9 hp tiller steering manual start 4 stroke engine.
Removable night time running lights.
Lowrance 4 dsi sonar.
Lowe Trailer.

Improvements:

Water fowl camouflage paint.
Minn-Kota 46 lb. thrust bow mount trolling motor with pedal control w quick disconnect plug.
Bow aluminum decking.
Raised removable front deck, constructed of aluminum angle frame and Aridek aluminum decking by Wahoo decks, complete with pedestal chair mount.
Telescoping gas struts for easy lift and close of front deck.
Hydrofoil equipped with torque eliminators.
Lower aluminum decking mid boat.
Stern raised deck with hatch access for gas and battery.
Pedestal chair mount.
Dual chairs for steering and transit on rear platform.
Quick releases on chairs for use in transit or on pedestals.
Solar panel for charging trolling motor battery.
On board 2-bank 20 amp battery charger.
500 watt AC Converter with USB port and dual 110 plugs.
Cigarette lighter port, front and rear.
Separate batteries for accessories and trolling motor.
Bilge pump in rear.
Aerator pump in live well.
Fused switch plate mounted in rear deck for lights, aerator, and fish finder.
All required safety items , including 4 Type 2 PFD’s, air horn, fire extinguisher, first aid kit and flares.
Two water tight storage boxes under front deck.
4 fishing rod holders.
Dolphin bumpers.
Anchor.
Tie offs at each corner.
Drink holders.
90 cu. ft of covered, lockable stowage space.

Musicman

 

[bigredxlt]

Wow looks great. Very interested in the removable front deck with the gas struts. Could you post some up close pictures of how its put together?

 

[typed by ben]

front deck hatch is awesome!

 

[hawghunters]

Nice conversion. I really like the design

 

[musicman]

@bigredxlt:

Sure, I will post some closeup pictures.

Several things to remember when applying gas struts.

1) Gas struts are available very inexpensively on ebay. I paid only $25 for the two 80 lb, 28" stroke struts I used.

2) Geometry and trigonometry definitely come into play. You want the strut pushing slightly downward and not completely compressed when the hatch is down. Ideally, you want to be nearly fully extended and close to 90 degrees from the open hatch angle when fully open.

3) size strut strength rating 10-15 lb more than you need to support the weight. That ensures the hatch stays up, but it doesn't take too much pressure to close. Once you start it down, the struts will close it and keep it closed.

4) Be sure to use trig to calc actual force required in the strut. Remember, it takes more force in the strut to lift it it isn't pushing vertically. Also remember that you aren't lifting the whole hatch, part of the weight is supported on the pivot point (hinge).

 

[vahunter]

Nice work!